The 552km² Arusha National Park
is located in northern Tanzania and is often overlooked by many safari
goers, despite boasting a variety of fascinating habitats. Although
lions don’t call this park home, Arusha still offers visitors the chance
to spot the most elusive member of the Big Five – the leopard – in the
early morning and late afternoon.
Arusha is also home to a large population of flamingos, which often
tinge the Momella Lakes a beautiful shade of pink, but here are five
other reasons why
Elyon Tours thinks you should add this Tanzanian park to your Africa bucket list.
1. It’s home to unique primates
A game drive in this national park will give visitors the chance to
spot the blue monkeys that live in the thick montane forest. Due to its
vegetation, this is also the only place in Tanzania’s northern safari
circuit where the black and white colobus monkey can be seen!
2. Climb the second highest peak in Tanzania
Mount Meru is the second highest peak in the country and the fifth
highest in Africa, standing at an altitude of 4,566 metres above sea
level. Hikers who climb Mount Meru will be rewarded with unparalleled
views of its famous neighbour, Mount Kilimanjaro, which are considered
to be best between December and February. Although arguably an
achievement in its own right, a climb up Mount Meru is also a great way
to acclimatise before taking on Kili.
3. Spot a snow white baboon
If you’re really lucky, you may even spot an albino baboon at one of the water sources.
4. It’s easily accessible
The park lies just a 40-minute drive from Arusha town and only
approximately 60km from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which makes
it the perfect place to start a safari tour in northern Tanzania or
relax after a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.
5. It has a crater!
Arusha National Park is known for the 2.4kilometre wide Ngurdoto
Crater, which stands in the midst of the montane forest. The crater’s
rocky cliffs enclose a wide marshy floor, which is dotted with herds of
buffalo and warthog. While standing at the lookout point using a pair
of binoculars, it should be easy to spot marsh birds and various
herbivores grazing on the crater floor.
![ngurdoto-crater-viewpoint](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sbuxmJYPTYkgUkvv-b6ZH15BO7wDJrf8pvluXcWOS3LNH5t-hmOA4jxf8ykoFUnyUJmcgG9FVTtE_MI7D3riE5wMkCmggobOCWP31Y3u6MGwXQXnVmBmJsgi9mRO8W0dYK85McVgTJFQ7XmV-NhditZ0B9udKp_Q=s0-d)
So don’t hesitate to include a trip to Arusha National Park on your itinerary the next time you visit Tanzania!
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